Who Should Democrats Run Among Just These Three?
Under the hood of the Democratic Party, insiders continue to express concern over what they see as the less than keen interest by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-12) in the office of governor as other North Jersey players make moves around her.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop already looks somewhat robust, with his announcement that he won’t run for reelection in his home city, and the backing of Hudson County Democratic Chairman Anthony Vainieri behind him. At last glance, a super PAC tied to Fulop’s 2025 guv run contains over $6.2 million.
Sherill’s allies say big deal. If she decides to run, she would likely start with the support of her home county political leader, Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, and the ability raise a considerable money.
The trouble is, “She has to want it,” a source complained.
And there are doubts in that department when it comes to Sherrill.
Why wouldn’t there be?
Look what happened to Jon Corzine when he gave up a U.S. Senate job and came back to perch alongside a grubby river as governor of New Jersey?
And anyway, Sherrill seems more federally focused anyway, with her military background and interest in international affairs.
A U.S. Senate seat, if one becomes available, looks like a better fit.
Moreover, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) has an interest in possibly running for governor in
2025.
The fundraising juggernaut who repeatedly wins in difficult political weather in a battleground district has nearly $14 million cash on hand. A source this week said he would likely have the backing of his county chair if he runs: Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano.
Unlike Sherrill, “Josh appears to want it,” a source insisted to InsiderNJ.
He’s moving around, talking to people – like Fulop.
If nothing else, right now, Fulop and Gottheimer appear most keenly intrigued by the prospect of running for governor using conventional party channels. As it stands, the two Democrats appear to be on a North Jersey collision course.
Now, there are other prospective candidates around, of course; among them Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who beat the machine to first win the office of mayor in 2014. If Baraka runs – and he looks like a candidate as he makes the speaking rounds in places as far flung as Bergen and Camden – he will run in defiance of the same party machines Gottheimer and Fulop will likely court.
In other words, he will run a campaign aimed at subverting the party establishment, starting with the Democratic Party in Essex County, or so say sources, even as Jones and Team Baraka continue to look for ways to resolve their differences and possibly avoid deeper Essex County fracturing in time for 2025.
Amid all the intrigue, and the potential for Essex County to miss an opportunity to field its own candidate for governor as Sherrill radiates disinterest, Jones and Baraka fight, and Fulop and Gottheimer continue to zig and zag through the establishment’s obstacle course of ring kissing and coffee klatsching, an insider made a suggestion this month:
Why not Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin?
Scion of a political family wired into Newark and the environs (he is the son of the late Democratic Party Chairman Ray Durkin), Durkin has long looked like the next Essex County Executive, but – an organization man – he loyally works alongside sitting Executive DiVincenzo. Durkin hails from the same generational party apparatus that produced Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, and has engendered considerable goodwill from allies who speak to his intelligence, competence, party bonafides, oratorical ability, overall political savvy and warm, charismatic talent.
Those who have known him for a long period of time, marvel at a hidden gem – a basically selfless public servant – who could effectively compete with the equally energetic Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee in 2021 who appears poised to run again statewide. Essex sources like the idea of the mighty Essex fortifying itself with a strong establishment candidate (if Sherrill doesn’t run and Baraka [ideally] is brought on board) who can go toe-to-toe with Gottheimer and Fulop; and they like Durkin’s chances of matching up well with those candidates from the two neighboring counties.
Here’s the question amid the intensification of conversation around Fulop v. Gottheimer and some of the back chatter out of Essex around Durkin:
Why are the only ones running are from north Jersey. It seems a kick in the teeth to us south Jersey people. I anit voting for any of them I from south Jersey to be exact PENNSAUKEN and proud of it
Why an old white guy? Why not Sheila Oliver? She’s awesome and obviously next in line.
Hopefully Gottheimer won’t be indicted by then for insider trading. He squeaked by this last congressional election.
I believe some candidates can talk the talk and some other’s even can walk the walk but only one can walk his talk and that is Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City for the next Governor of The Great State of New Jersey from Jimmy Pearl of Bayonne, New Jersey.
Fulop would be a good candidate to run. He has executive experience and has done well as mayor running Jersey City. Durkin should run for a commisioer seat in Essex County, while Gottheimer should stay im the House.
The Delaware River is not grubby. It’s beautiful. Designated wild and scenic by Congress. What’s grubby is how DOT under Gov Whitman and prior governors obscured access to it with a grubby highway. It’s also the best example of environmental injustice. Take one of the State’s only clean, fishable, swimmable rivers and waterfronts away from a poor minority community. Brilliant. We need a governor who understands both environmental, justice, and transport projects and policies. Transport leadership, spending and innovation is what controls everyone’s commutes. A huge sector of jobs and capital spending. Let’s spend toll and gas tax money well and wisely and also effectively get crash rates down and save lives instead of relying on admonitions on signs. Let’s talk and think substance for a change. Steve Fulops leads in that department.
@ Harry Madara Sr. ,
South Jersey already has the de facto shadow governor: George “Boss” Norcross.
Steven Fulop is the best choice.
Gottheimer loves to treat his staff like crap and Durkin is a foot soldier following orders.
Hard no on Fulup. Supporting the DeGise nepobaby and hit and run driver is a deal breaker.
Fulop is the absolute best choice for Governor
He would be the one
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